Media release: New hearing services for the bush delivered through Royal Flying Doctor Service

12 December 2019

The Hon Stuart Robert MP

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Minister for Government Services

Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert MP, today announced a new collaboration between Hearing Australia and the iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) which will see innovative hearing screening tools adopted and rolled out across the country as part of RFDS primary health care clinics to remote areas. Minister Robert made the announcement while visiting the RFDS airbase in Jandakot, Perth.

RFDS clinicians across the country will be equipped with cutting-edge tools developed by the internationally recognised research division of Hearing Australia, the National Acoustic Laboratories, to help identify young children who may have hearing problems.

The national rollout comes after successful trials conducted by Hearing Australia and the RFDS in Western Queensland in 2018 and the Broken Hill region in 2019 and will see additional, innovative hearing screening tools, training and hearing referral pathways across Australia over the next year.

‘One Australian missing out on hearing screening and specialist services is one too many and we know people living in remote Australia face challenges in accessing services,’ Minister Robert said.

‘This collaboration will see an iconic Australian service equipped with world-leading home-grown technology to help Australians in the bush, ensuring citizens get the care they need–I could not think of a more fitting example of the Morrison Government’s commitment to making it easier to access services across Australia,’ Minister Robert said.

Mr Kim Terrell, the Managing Director of Hearing Australia, highlighted the importance of the collaboration and the support of the RFDS.

‘It’s important we work together to improve access to hearing services across Australia and prevent hearing loss, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, we look forward to working with the RFDS to make a real difference to the lives of people across Australia.’ He said.